What is Long-Term Residence or Permanent Residence?
Long-term residence is one of the types of authorizations that allows and authorizes residing and working in Spain indefinitely and under the same conditions as a Spaniard.
Who can apply for long-term residence?
Many people are unaware of the requirements to apply for this type of residence. Normally, those who apply for long-term residence do so because they have resided legally and continuously in Spain for five (5) years.
If you have resided in Spain legally and continuously for a period of 5 years, then you can apply for this residence.
If you find yourself in any of the following situations, you can apply for this residence:
- Having resided legally and continuously on Spanish territory for five years.
The continuity will not be affected by absences from Spanish territory of up to six continuous months, provided that the total does not exceed ten months within the five years.
- Having resided continuously for five years as a holder of an EU Blue Card in the European Union, provided that the two years immediately preceding the application date, the residence occurred in Spanish territory.
- The continuity will not be affected by absences from the European Union of up to twelve continuous months, provided that the total of these does not exceed eighteen months within the five years of required residence.
- Being a resident beneficiary of a contributory retirement pension, included within the protective action of the Spanish Social Security system.
- Being a resident beneficiary of a pension for absolute permanent disability or severe disability, in its contributory modality, included within the protective action of the Spanish Social Security system or similar benefits obtained in Spain consisting of a non-capitalizable life annuity, sufficient for their support.
- Being a resident and having been born in Spain and upon reaching the age of majority, having resided in Spain legally and continuously for at least the three consecutive years immediately prior to the application.
- Having been a Spanish national by origin and having lost Spanish nationality.
- Being a resident who upon reaching the age of majority has been under the guardianship of a Spanish public entity for the five consecutive years immediately preceding.
- Being stateless, a refugee, or a beneficiary of subsidiary protection, being in Spanish territory, and having been recognized the respective status in Spain.
- Having notably contributed to the economic, scientific, or cultural progress of Spain, or to the projection of Spain abroad. In these cases, the granting of the long-term residence authorization will correspond to the head of the Ministry of
- Employment and Social Security, following a report from the head of the Ministry of the Interior.
Requirements for long-term residence:
If you meet any of the previously mentioned situations, then you can apply for long-term residence, provided you meet the following requirements:
- Not being a citizen of the European Union.
- Not being in Spain irregularly.
- Having no criminal record.
- Not having entry banned in Spain.
Required documentation:
Note: we always recommend that copies of the required documents be provided (as well as the originals at the time of application).
- Application form (EX-11)
- Complete copy of your passport or travel document
- If you are a resident: a report issued by the regional authorities, or those competent in each case, or the educational center accrediting the schooling of minors under your care who are of compulsory schooling age.
- If you are not a resident: at the time of application, a certificate of criminal records issued by the authorities of the country of origin or the country or countries where you have resided during the last five years.